In nine meetings, the Jaguars have won seven games, tied one and lost another. It’s a streak the Jaguars would like to continue riding as they host the Blue Devils at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

“I hope we’re feeling confident because of our success against them, but it was a great game last season,” Cedar Shoals coach Chris Davis said. “I’ve told our guys all week, we didn’t take the lead until the very end of the game last year. It was kind of one of those games where you felt like you were behind all game.”

Cedar Shoals rode a stellar second-half performance from running back Adrian Washington in last year’s win over Elbert County. Washington, now a senior, tallied 207 yards, including 162 yards in the second half, and scored the game-winning touchdown with just more than a minute remaining in the game.

“We pushed their limit,” Cedar Shoals quarterback Darius Jordan said. “Every snap off the ball we came at them 100 percent.”

In that game, two late touchdowns powered Cedar Shoals. This year, a quick start may be key.

“[At] kickoff, if we go down there and hit them in the mouth, I think we can really come out on top and then bring momentum to the crowd and the players,” Cedar Shoals wide receiver Quvantay Burdette said.

In order to extend its four-game win streak against Elbert County (0-1), Cedar Shoals (0-1) will have to minimize the turnovers that plagued them during last week’s 39-14 loss to Hart County. In that game, Jordan threw two interceptions and fumbled once, and Burdette fumbled twice.

“We didn’t sniff a fumble or an interception in our scrimmage,” Davis said. “You don’t play for a week, and then you come out and see some live game speed. Last week, that was definitely an issue. We’ve done some things to pick up the tempo this week, done a lot more one-on-ones just to get that game speed going and hold on to the football.”

The Jaguars will be missing three offensive linemen for the second consecutive week. Brantley Summers (concussion), Jay Fears (back injury) and Malik Burton will not play. They could return as early as next week. Until then, sophomore Andre Pattman and junior William Stevens have stepped in, and senior defensive tackle Frank Wilson has seen time at left tackle.

“We’re going into [Friday] a little bit thin right there, but I think it’s good for us to build depth early in the season,” Davis said. “It’s only going to help us later on.”

Last year, Cedar Shoals followed up a 21-0 win over Hart County with the late-game win at Elbert County and took a 2-0 start into region play. For Davis, the game against Hart County and tonight’s game against Elbert County has been about building depth at key positions before opening region play next week.

“This could give us the momentum we need to beat Flowery Branch and Gainesville,” Burdette said. “It will bring a lot of intensity to our team, so we have to win this.”

CORRECTION: The number of years since Cedar Shoals and Elbert County first met has been corrected to 41 years.